Don’t look away

Čáslavská was known for her outspoken support of the Czechoslovak democratization movement and her opposition to the 1968 Soviet-led invasion of Czechoslovakia. This was at a time when women across the world rarely had a voice. Following the invasion she fled to the countryside to continue training in secret unsure as to whether she would be allowed to compate at the Mexico Olympic Games.

Permission was granted but following two incidents which saw her have to share the gold medal and accept silver she made her own silent protest to the world by looking down and away while the Soviet national anthem was played during the medal ceremonies for the balance beam and floor exercise event finals.

While Čáslavská’s actions were applauded by her compatriots, they resulted in her becoming a persona non grata under the new regime when she returned home. She was forced into retirement and for many years was denied the right to travel, work and attend sporting events.

Don’t Look Away will tell the story of this remarkable woman her courage and her achievements.

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Return To Your Corner

The film tells the story of Africa’s first Boxing World Champion Battling Siki. Siki was born in St Louis, Senegal and headed to France where he defeated the best in Europe. In 1922 he won the World Light Heavyweight title defeating Georges Carpentier to become the first African World Champion, although history shows him as a French Champion.

Racism would follow him wherever he went. He was asked to throw fights but wouldn’t. He paid the ultimate price. He was murdered and left to die in a New York street, aged 28. In 1993 the WBC returned his remains to Senegal.

He has returned home It is time that this was also returned to Africa.

The documentary on Africa’s first ever boxing World Champion had it’s Premiere in New York on the 15th of February 2023 at the New York Athletic Club hosted by the World Boxing Council and was attended by former World Champions Michael Spinks, Iran Barkley, Vinny Paz and Franchon Cruz-Dezurn.

It was also attended by a number of political figures including the Consul General for Senegal in New York, El Hadji Amadou Ndao

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Mark Our Place

This documentary has three heroes. All Irishmen, all rugby players who all played for the same club and who all were awarded the highest military honour, the Victoria Cross.

Major Robert Johnston played for Ireland and what is now known as the British and Irish Lions and was great friends with Thomas Crean. He showed his bravery in the early stages of the Boer war and was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Major Thomas Crean played for Ireland and what is now known as the British Lions and worked his way up through the ranks of the Imperial Light Horse after signing up when the Boer War broke out. As a doctor he received his Victoria Cross for treating the wounded on the battlefield under enemy fire.

Brigadier Frederick Harvey played for Ireland and then left for a new life in Canada. He joined a Canadian Regiment and during the First World War served with the Lord Strathcona Horse. He was involved in many acts of heroism for which he was awarded him the Victoria Cross, The Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre by the French.

Why is this story important? The main reason is that this is a unique achievement, the likes of which we are unlikely to ever see again.

The other reason is because very few know about these three men. When they were awarded their Victoria Crosses Ireland was a split country. There were some who felt that to fight for the British meant you were pro British and anti Republican, so deeds on behalf of the British were not warmly celebrated.

What was it that made these three men so special, was it the rugby club they belonged to, Wanderers, was it their upbringing or was it the sport of rugby union?

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No Apologies

Watch the full documentary on YouTube

No Apologies is a documentary about two female Aboriginal footballers.

In 2010, Kyah Simon and Lydia Williams became the first two Indigenous women to win international football honours when both were part of the Matilda’s victorious 2010 Aisa Cup campaign.

In 2011, in Germany, both girls became the first two Indigenous women to play together in a World Cup Finals.

“No Apologies” tells the story of these two young female athletes who grew up on either side of Australia, and their vastly different journeys to the World Cup Finals in Germany.

This is not just the story of two talented individuals, but it is the capturing of a moment in Australia’s cultural and sporting history and recording it for years to come. With the Aboriginal people making up just 2.3% of the Australian population their achievement is truly remarkable.

We hope you enjoy the story as much as we enjoyed filming it.

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Standing at the Touchlines

Watch the full documentary on YouTube

In June 2010, Ashley embarked on a project of his which was to document Africa’s reaction to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The outcome is a 52 minute long documentary that took him across Africa from Nigeria to Nairobi and eventually Soweto. Titled “Standing at the Touchlines” this documentary is about Africa celebrating hosting its first the World Cup.

The blacks are tired of standing at the touchlines to witness a game that they should be playing.

Activist Steve Biko wrote this statement in his book “I write what I like” before his death in 1977. He was referring to life under apartheid in South Africa, but this statement is relevant on another level in 2010 and inspired the name of this documentary.

In this “Standing at the touchlines”, Ashley intended on finding out if South Africa hosting the World Cup will bond a continent. Will Africa put aside its troubles for a month and embrace the World’s greatest sporting event?

Ashley travelled to Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon in West Africa. These countries have been hotbeds of raw football talent for many European clubs and have all qualified for the finals in South Africa.

From there, Ashley visited Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda but unfortunately did not make it to the Sudan. In these East African countries he visited a sports clinic for street children, watch them train and then watch a World Cup game with them.

During the semi finals and the final of the World Cup, Ashley was in South Africa to capture the local atmosphere. Basing himself in Johannesburg he visited regional areas to film the festivities taking place.

“Standing at the Touchlines” aired on television in Africa and Asia and was selected for the 2013 African World Documentary Film Festival.